The story of the temple for God’s people is a fascinating one.
Solomon’s construct that took years to build was undoubtedly worthy of the physical and visual spectacle it was to be for God’s people. No wonder it’s destruction was the cause of so much despair by those people.
To be about the business of building something like what was destroyed would be an intimidating task indeed. To then realise that what you’re building is not going to hit the heights of splendour as the original has got to be a little deflating. In fact to some it might be worth mourning about at the completion of something that’s just not as good as the original.
There are the nostalgic types today who long for the good old days. Their recollection of the brilliance of way back when sets a high standard to live up to. Indeed it can be such a tall order to live up to it might be worth mourning about efforts at reliving those former glories that just are not as good as the original.
This is why God’s Word to His people should be considered carefully,
The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken! (Haggai 2:9 NLT)
Hope might be a wishful concept in the eyes of some. But in the mindset of the Hebrew the concept of hope is far more concrete with expectation. This same God who promised judgement and enacted it; and promised a return for His people and enacted it can be trusted to bring this promise to fruition. It might appear to be something mind blowing to do something even better than what’s happened before, but that is the hope for all those who put their trust in Him.
Some have looked to limit this promise to the physical temple. God’s building project, however, had something even more glorious in mind. It’s just for those who trust in Him to look into that temple that was broken and then rebuilt in three days to truly express the glory to come.
(Photo by Agustinus Nathaniel on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 